Open Access Research Article the Water Quality of Devoll and Osum
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Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology All Rights Reserved Euresian Publication © 2013 eISSN 2249 0256 Available Online at: www.environmentaljournal.org Volume 3, Issue 1: 61-71 Open Access Research Article The Water Quality of Devoll and Osum Rivers and Its Impact on the Agricultural Soils Magdalena Cara 1, Jordan Merkuri 1, Murtezan Ismaili 2, Miranda Huta 3, Bora Qesja 1 1Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania 2South East Europe University 3Centre of Agriculture Technology Transfer, Fushe Kruja Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract: The Devoll River, one of the sources of Seman River, joins Osum River in the proximity of Kuçova. The above are both used for irrigation purposes. The studies performed (over a period of four years 2003-2006) were aimed at determining the water quality of the Devoll and Osum rivers together with their impact in agriculture. The maximal sodium values recorded in the Devoll and Osum rivers were 1 mg/L (2003) and 0.66 mg/L (2006) respectively. Magnesium levels ranged from 2.67 mg/L (2003) to 2.96 mg/L (2006) with a 4 year average of 2.79 for the Devoll river and 2.02 mg/L (2006) to 3.55 mg/L (2005) with a 4 year average value of 2.57 mg/L for the - Osum river. The nutritious elements levels were generally low. The average value of N – NO 3 recorded in the + Devoll waters reached 2.02 mg/L, with a maximal value of 5.88 mg/L (2006). The average value of N - NH4 was 3- + calculated to be 1.12 mg/L, while the maximal value reached 2.1 mg/L (2006). PO 4 and K had a maximal value of 0.1 mg/L (2005) and 11 mg/L (2006) respectively. The last value was 5.5 times bigger than the allowed one. - + For the Osum River the maximal values of N - NO 3 and N – NH 4 were 9.02 mg/L (2006) and 3.22 mg/L (2006) 3- + respectively. The maximal values of PO 4 and K were recorded to be 0.228 mg/L (2004) and 12 mg/L (2006). This maximal value is six times bigger than the allowed value. On average nutrient concentrations were higher in 2006 compared to previously recorded values. These concentration levels, with the exception of K +, were however within the FAO standard levels. Keywords: irrigation, nutrients, parameters, soil, water quality 1.0 Introduction: irrigation purposes and have been a great part of The hydrographical territory of Albania is agricultural and environmental strategies in our approximately 44,000 km 2 or 57% more than the country. national space of our country. The average altitude of this territory is over 700 m above the sea level. The soil and water quality play a prominent role in Rivers have always been the most important the irrigation process. If they were not to be freshwater resources. They find multiple uses in compatible with one another, the watering process agriculture, industry, transportation, aquaculture, might have a negative impact on the physical – public water supply etc. (Ravindra et.al, 2003). The chemical abilities of the soil. The estimation of water multiannual average discharge of Albanian rivers is quality is based on salinity, sodium and toxicity of about 1,245 m 3/s. All the rivers flow in the sea chemical elements (Goel 2006). Salinity is the most direction with about 40 billion m 3 water/year (AKBN, important criterion for evaluating irrigation water 2010). quality (Ghassemi, et al., 1995). High salt concentrations prevent the uptake of water by Devoll and Osum rivers are the main afluents of the plants causing crop–yield reductions. This occurs Seman River. Their watershed areas are 3130 km 2 when salts accumulate in the root zone to such an and 2150 km 2 respectively (Pano, 2008). With their extent that the crop is no longer able to extract geographic positions, both rivers have been used for sufficient water from the salty soil solution, resulting in water stress for a significant period (FAO, 1994). 61 Cara et al. Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology Salt concentration can exert an effect or prohibit and 2.1 The Investigated Area delay plant growth. (Rhades, 1977; Raymond et al. , Albania has a mediterranean climate, with a 1995). The irrigation process with low quality water relatively short and soft winter and with a hot and generally does not represent an immediate damage very dry summer. Albania's climate is very different to the plant. However, the damage is inflicted in the depending on the region with contrasts in long run, as the salts or water sodium will be temperature, precipitation, sunshine, air humidity, accumulated in the soil and lowers its productivity. etc. Albania comprises a very concetrated river Regardless of the effects of the hydrochemistry of network. The upper flow has a mountanous the Devoll and Osum Rivers, there are no previous character, is fast and erosive, whereas the lower studies analyzing the physico-chemical parameters, flows have a field character. The Devoll River (196 nutrients, salinity etc. of the water of the two rivers. km) has its sourse at the foundations of the Gramoz Moreover, there exist no evaluations of the effects Mountain. It continues its flow north to the city of the latter can have on the soil and cultivated Bilisht, returning then west through the valley vegetation. The object of the study is to analyze the between the Dry Mountain north and that of water quality of the Devoll and Osum rivers. The aim Morava in the south, where it joins river Osum of the study is to assess their impact on agricultural (which flows too from the Gramoz Mountain). lands and to recommend plants that are more Together they form the Seman River. The water suitable for cultivation. gathering surface of the Devoll River is 3.130 km². The average discharge is around 49.5 m³/s. The 2.0 Materials and Methods: Osum River is 161 km, with a water gathering The Osum and Devoll rivers and the agricultural soils surface of 2.150 km 2, average altitude of 828 m and adjacent to them were monitored for a period of average multiannual discharge of 32.5 m 3/s. Both four years (2003 – 2006). rivers have an important impact on agriculture. Figure 1. Map of area under investigation Figures 2 and 3. Areas of samples collection Figure 4. Devoll River, sampling place Figure 5. Devoll River, sampling place Figure 6. Osum River, sampling place Figure 7. Osum River, sampling place 62 Cara et al. Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology 2.3 Samples and Analytical Methods The locations used for sampling are located in: Murras – Elbasan, Fushë – Devoll, Devoll – Korçë dhe Berat. The collection of water samples has been done conforming to standard methods ISO 5667 - 3:200. The collection of soil samples has been done [Na +], [Ca 2+ ], dhe [Mg 2+ ] are the concentrations in conforming to standard methods ISO 10381-1993. mmol/L of sodium, calcium dhe magnezium ions in Concerning the measurements, contemporary the soil solution. The Na +, Ca 2+ dhe Mg 2+ ion methods were used: spectrometric and standard concentrations were determined by extracting the classical methods. The determination of the ions from the soil in the solution and using the exchange cation capacity has been done with the Spectroscopy of Atomic Absorption. When SAR employment of the methodics ISO 11260-94. Nitrate, increases over 12 – 15, there are serious physical ammonium, phosphate etc., levels were analyzed problems and furthermore plants show difficulties in according to the standard methods described by the absorption of water. APHA, 1998 & Rodier 1984. Samples for cations (calcium, magnesium) were analyzed by atomic 3.0 Results and Discussion absorbance spectrophotometry, while sodium was The results of the parameters are presented on measured by flame photometry. Bicarbonate level Tables (1 - 7) and Graphics (1 – 9). was determined by the acid titration method while the organic matter was determined by the permanganate oxidation method (Golterman, 1978). 3.1 The pH Measurement The physico-chemical parameters such as pH and For Devoll and Osum Rivers, the analyzed water temperature were measured in the field using a pH samples had pH values of 7.2 – 7.7 and 7.1-7.9 meter while the conductivity of water was measured respectively (Table 1 and 2). Conforming to the FAO by a conductivity meter. specifications, the most adequate pH intervals on irrigation waters are 6.0-8.5, (Ayers et.al. 1976, The soil samples tested were implemented 1885, 1994) whereas conforming to the Irrigation according to ISO 10381-1993 method standard. For water quality criteria pH = 5 - 7 (Bradli 1998, 2000) parameter measures, the contemporary methods of intervals are recommended. determination such as: Spectroscopy of Atomic Absorption method and interfrequently classical 3.2 Electric Conductivity (EC) standard methods of analysis were used. The The average electric conductivity of the water determination of effective cathion exchange, samples collected in the Devoll River in the - capacity and base saturation level was achieved via monitored years 2003-2006 has been 0.48-0.65 dSm 1 -1 the usage of a barium chloride solution ISO 11260-94. while for the Osum river 0.45-0.53 dSm (Table 1 The soil quality sampling was implemented and 2). The salinity tolerance of plants is related to according to ISO 5667 -1-1980. The water samples the salinity of the soil, described as EC. EC is directly were analyzed according to the salt contents, pH, related to the concentration of ions dissolved in the electrical conductivity, kations, anions (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , water.